POMONA – The CCAA got a special treat for its men's soccer conference opener Friday. With it being the final match of the day, it can be suited as primetime for the CCAA as it saw seventh-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills and host No. 13 Cal Poly Pomona, two of the top three favorites to finish in the conference standings, play to a 3-3 draw at Kellogg Stadium.
For these longtime rivals, it is the first time the two battled it out as nationally-ranked teams since the 2015 NCAA West Regional final. The Toros continue maintaining an excellent record when both them and the opponent are in the United Soccer Coaches' Top 25, going 15-6-2.
Friday's clash proved to close on paper. Although the Toros (6-0-2, 0-0-1 CCAA) won the shot column 11-8 overall, the Broncos (5-1-2, 0-0-1 CCAA) had the 7-5 edge when aiming at the goal.
It was Dominguez Hills that drew first blood in the 17
th minute. After
Michael McKibbin fed a perfect through ball to
Sulaiman Bah, the midfielder dribbled to the end line and crossed it in for
Jhoel Sarraude to deliver the one-touch shot to the left side.
Pomona would even the score for the first time in the 34
th minute on a goal by Thomas Guei.
The two sides entered halftime tied at one. The two sides each added a goal off penalty kicks. Jerry Ramirez put the Broncos ahead at 52:46 and then Bah tied it just over two minutes later, his seventh goal of the season.
Cal Poly Pomona would break the tie a second time in the 80
th minute thanks to Paul Roger Henschke.
McKibbin ultimately played the hero for the Toros when he evened the score in the 87
th minute, solidifying the 3-3 tie.
The most challenging weekend of the season continues for Dominguez Hills, as it will travel up the 710 freeway to face top-ranked and defending national champions Cal State LA at Jesse Owens Track Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The Golden Eagles, the preseason favorite to win the CCAA title, came off a 1-0 win over Cal State Monterey Bay Friday.
